Hundreds of people gathered to protest outside the West Chester office of House Speaker John Boehner.

A group of unemployed workers and labor leaders gathered at 11 a.m. to call on the congressman to work harder to bring down the unemployment rate, and worry less about Washington politics.

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"I think that we're strongest when we get the perspectives of both sides, and no side is entirely correct," said Tamara Murphy, of Fairfield. "If they could learn to work together rather than spend their time trying to sabotage each other and refusing to budge an inch, I think we could get out of the trouble we're having."

However, Murphy said it was clear which party was most to blame for the recent default crisis.

"The GOP is basically throwing a temper tantrum and behaving like they're about the age of my son," Murphy said. "We elect our officials and expect them to compromise and work together, and they're acting like children -- 'If I don't get my way, I'm taking my ball and going home.'"

The protesters said Congress hasn't done enough to promote jobs and instead has focused on bailing out banks or cutting taxes for the rich.

"We don't want just low paying (jobs) with no health care," said Edwinna Davis, a communications worker. "We need jobs that are viable to take care of families with health care and pension protection."

The unemployment rate in Ohio is 8.8 percent, but protest organizers said it's closer to 9.3 percent in Boehner's home district.

Providing economic certainty and creating an environment in which businesses can invest and jobs can flourish remains Speaker Boehners No. 1 focus," the lawmaker's office said in a statement. "House Republicans will continue to work with leaders of both parties to reduce spending, boost confidence and give Ohio small businesses the stability they need to create jobs.

About two weeks ago, a different kind of crowd gathered outside Boehner's office. Members of the tea party rallied to urge Boehner to stand strong in the debt and budget fight.

Boehner was playing golf at a fundraiser in central Ohio, and his staffers locked the door to his office when protesters tried to go inside. At least one person pounded on the door to be let in, but no arrests were made.